As President of the historic, globally recognized Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Dr. William M. Wilson is helping build Holy Spirit-empowered leaders through whole person education to impact the world with God’s healing.
With three decades of executive leadership experience, Wilson is recognized as a global influencer and dynamic speaker with unwavering ethics, strong business acumen, and an undeniable passion for equipping new generations.
Wilson served on the ORU Board of Trustees as Vice Chair until his election as ORU President in June of 2013. Since taking office, Wilson has led ORU through several consecutive years of enrollment growth, designed and implemented the board-approved ORU adaptive plan, and led the University's $50 million, 50th Anniversary campaign and celebration. Wilson has also advanced Oral Roberts's original mandate to go "to the uttermost bounds of the Earth" by establishing global alliances on several continents. He also spearheaded the following campus improvements: the repurposing of a 54,000-square-foot television studio into ORU's flagship Global Learning Center, which utilizes augmented and virtual reality to take the university into the era of globalization; the building of the ONEOK Sports Complex with state-of-the art track and tennis facilities; the construction of multi-purpose fields for intramural competitions; and the construction of the first new campus housing in 42 years, an apartment-style facility with the best of internet connectivity and exceptional study and relationship-building areas.
Additionally, Wilson continues fostering unique global partnerships through Empowered21, an initiative launched and housed at ORU that brings together ministry leaders, scholars, and next-generation voices from the Spirit-empowered movement. Empowered21 has expanded exponentially and today influences nations through 14 regional cabinets composed of significant ministry leaders. Empowered21 sponsors numerous events around the world each year. The most recent E21 Global Congress in Jerusalem remains the largest Christian-sponsored event in Jerusalem in modern times. E21 is now preparing for the next Global Congress, Jerusalem2020.
Wilson is a sought-after Bible communicator whose weekly television program, "World Impact with Dr. Billy Wilson," has inspired and empowered viewers from a biblical worldview in over 150 nations in multiple languages.
Wilson currently serves as an at-large member of the board of the National Association of Evangelicals and on the executive committee of the Pentecostal World Fellowship. He also holds leadership positions with the Mission America Coalition and International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. He served as the executive officer for the 2006 Azusa Street Centennial, which drew more than 50,000 people from 112 nations to Los Angeles. He also forged a national ecumenical coalition with more than 250 denominations and parachurch ministries through the Awakening America Alliance, founding the national 9-11 prayer gathering called Cry Out America.
Dr. Wilson served with the Church of God of Prophecy and the Church of God, where he helped shape the lives of tens of thousands of young people in all 50 states and 120 countries. He is a respected speaker and author of several books, including Father Cry, Foundations of Faith and Fasting Forward.
A native of Owensboro, Kentucky, Wilson holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Kentucky University in Secondary Education, as well as Master of Arts and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Wilson has also participated in numerous ongoing educational opportunities including the Harvard Institute for University Presidents.
Wilson and his wife, ORU’s First Lady, Lisa, reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They have one daughter, Sara. She and her husband, Shaun, have three children. They also have a son, Ashley. He and his wife, Jamie, also have three children.